SIXTY-ONE NAILS

After a heart attack, Niall Petersen is revived on the London Underground by an old lady who tells him he’s not entirely human. The old lady turns out to be much older than she appears, and explains that he has inherited the bloodlines of the Feyre, creatures of myth and folklore.

Now one of those creatures is hunting him and he must find a way for him and his daughter to survive. To succeed he must discover the secret of the two knives, one blunt, one sharp, the six horse-shoes, and why there are Sixty-One Nails.

An impressively accessible hero, Niall anchors the reader on a journey of discovery that feels constantly off-balance but never jarring. Comparisons to Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere are both inevitable and erroneous; Shevdon’s grittily believable, charmingly described underworld packs a dark punch all its own.Publisher’s Weekly – June 2010 (starred review)

Mike Shevdon is a great, fresh voice in urban fantasy and has a fantastic new take on it, with a well-balanced blend of humor and gravity, making old folklore seem realistic and plausible in a techno-heavy world. It’s easy to fall back into childish passions for stories with this book, and enjoy it with some new adult friends.
Axie Barclay at the Sacramento Book Review

THE ROAD TO BEDLAM

When she unexpectedly and tragically comes into her power, Niall’s daughter is kidnapped by a shadowy organisation from which Niall must rescue her. His search is interrupted by the return of the Seventh Court, but is their arrival a coincidence?

To find his daughter, Niall must enter an alliance with his most dangerous foe, but how long will that alliance last on The Road to Bedlam?

The Road to Bedlam is a rich, detailed and impressive sequel to one of the best novels of 2009 with a gripping plot, superb characterisation and is such an effortless joy to read. If you have read Sixty One Nails you just have to get this, and for those of you who haven’t read Sixty One Nails, what are you waiting for, buy them both!
~ SciFi and Fantasy Books

There are moments of real joy in the twilight of book reading when an author really cannot do anything wrong for the reader. One of these breaks in the storm of Urban Fantasy is author Mike Shevdon, who in this, his second novel in the Courts of the Feyre series, The Road to Bedlam has been an absolute joy.
~ Falcata Times

STRANGENESS AND CHARM

In freeing Alex from Bedlam, Niall has released her tortured and abused brethren into the wider world—individuals with strange and uncertain powers.

Now he is tasked with bringing these fey-humans back into the fey courts for the sake of peace and stability—but what if they have their own plans, born out of torture and formed from a distillation of bitterness, resentment, Strangeness and Charm?

Shevdon’s elegant and ever-so-easy to read prose really sparkles here, the book is just so entrancing that putting it down becomes a real challenge. The story is as thought provoking and engaging as ever and the pace set just right. As with the previous novels there are some interesting historical details mixed into the fiction and it’s partly this mixture of history with fable and modern day life that help to create the unique, powerful voice that permeates the pages.
~ SFBook Reviews

…I also love the incorporation of superstitions, symbolism, and ceremonies. I honestly don’t know what comes first, if the story is inspired by these random tidbits of strange history or if Shevdon has a cache of these stocked away for use in the books. Maybe a little of both. Either way, it works. Here’s to Shevdon for another fabulous installment and I can’t wait til next year for book four!
~ No More Grumpy Bookseller

THE EIGHTH COURT

An Eighth Court of the Feyre is to be established for the half-breed fey, but petty rivalries and old disputes threaten its stability before it’s even founded. While the past haunts Niall’s dreams, Blackbird searches for a home for the new court.

As the end of the year approaches, a message reaches Niall warning of the return of old enemies. Will Niall and Blackbird be able to bring the fey-humans together to establish The Eighth Court?

No spoilers, of course, but I am pleased to say the final chapters of The Eighth Court delivered exactly the sort of resolution to the series that I was hoping for. The perfect mix of magic and folklore, with a fantastic plot and loads of great characters has made this a story that I’ll remember for a long time. ~ The Eloquent Page

Hi G.P.
Glad you liked the books. We’re in a bit of a haitus at the moment as I need to republish the four existing books following the demise of my publisher. The new editions will be coming out over the next few months and then I will be working on the new stuff. If you want to be kept in the loop feel free to sign up to the newsletter; it has the most up-to-date news on the books, and occasional goodies! There will be an announcement regarding Courts of the Feyre, but I don’t want to jump the gun.

Hey, I’m a little late to the party, but I just finished The Eighth Court and LOVED it, but I’m sorry to say that I wont be happy with the book if there is not another one. These are some of the only fantasy driven books that can still challenge your intellect. The way you ended it puzzles me almost as much as the ending of maximum ride nevermore. There needs to another one or two or you just might make me lose my mind from trying to figure everything out! LOL seriously I just LOVE your books and I need more. Do we maybe have an ETA on the next one?

Picked your first book off of the shelf. Thought, “Looks interesting. I’ll buy the first one, and come back for the next two if I like it.”. Started reading it a few days later. Haven’t been able to put it down. By the time I got to the Austrailian House, I was checking to see if B&N still had the next two on the shelf. Gone! Found #2 at another store. Buying it tomorrow. It should keep me happy while I order #3.

Hi Lucas, I’m really glad you enjoyed the book, and thanks for letting me know. I think Laurent did a great job with the translation. Whether the other books will be translated depends on the French publishers, Panini, so you could contact them and ask if they have plans? There’s a link to their Facebook page below:

I have been an avid reader since my fifth year in school and have spent many hours reading many different books. I had been searching for something new, something different, just something anything out of the norm.
I found “Sixty-One Nails” at the bookstore here in town, read the reviews on the cover, saw mention of the Fey and decided to give it a try. All I have to say is SCORE! It’s going on my list of recommended books and I’m currently tracking down the rest of the series even though I’ve yet to finish the first. It’s a great read and it definitely filled the void (no pun intended) for me as far as a really good book goes. The characters are great although I find myself wanting to kick Niall in the rear for being at twit at times.
Thank you Sir for your efforts in bringing this story to life it is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for getting in touch. There will be more books, but whether there will be more in this world I can’t say at the moment. I’m working on two stories at the moment, but I’m not ready to talk about them as books yet. Sorry to be less than forthcoming but I need to do a lot more work before I can talk about what’s coming next.

Hi. I don’t generally put links to stores because the books are available worldwide and it depends where you are as to which stores you can use. Also the big A had problems with the books going out of stock and re-ordering the wrong ISBN, though I undersatnd that’s all sorted now.

It is in stock in the B&N in Fairlane Green, Livonia and try, though, if you want to try there. Hope you find one. All the best.

Thanks for taking the time to get in touch, and sorry for the delay in replying – I’ve been at World Fantasy and am just catching up with myself. Yes, it’s a world I may return to, but at the moment I need some distance – a chance to gather myself and do something different. Hopefully you will enjoy that too. All the best.

Another one who so enjoyed the 4 books.. and is hoping that you “might” consider another series? Maybe with a focus on different characters and their journey but set in the same world.. and we can then perhaps see if you can answer some of the questions you posed in this series!

The courts of the feyre have been amazing, thank you so much. Although I have to say, after finishing ‘the eighth court’ I am left feeling rather heartbroken and a little traumatised! There is so much left unanswered and unknown. I am hoping for a fifth book or another series to conclude, am I hoping in vain? I need to know what tale Raffmir is about to tell Niall? What gifts will William have? What happens with Alex and Tate? What becomes of the high court, lord Mellion, the gifted court? Not to mention the wraithkin that are now roaming the streets! I am begging to be put out of my misery! 🙂 Many, many thanks for a great series (even if a little too short) x

Just blasted through all four books in a few days. Really enjoyable series that I couldn’t put down. It would be great to read more about the Feyre and find out how some of the characters develop after the conclusion in “The Eighth Court”…..another series perhaps? (Please?)

Ah, but there is so much yet to tell. Why did Kareesh say what she did beneath Covent Garden on that first day? Was that really the first time Niall was there? The dreams are getting worse, but what do they mean and why is Niall getting them? What will the reaction of the 7th Court be to the founding of the 8th? All this and more….

I didn’t realise it’s a four part story! Oh man, I’m so happy there’s going to be another book and it comes out soon! It’s been a while since I’ve really gotten into such a great book series, can’t wait to read more. I love the fact you have that little chapter at the end telling us more about the things you’ve written about, the facts on real things like the Quit Rents. It’s fascinating!

I can’t wait for book 4. These books are just great. they are some of the best I have read in years. I just love recognising london, the characters and the stories are just great.
Please we need more. Number 4 can’t be the last one.

Just finished Strangeness and Charm and waiting for the magic to wear off before I start all three over again.

I’m particularly appreciating that Niall and Blackbird aren’t untried teenagers, they both have a past and both have to contend with who that past has made them. Niall with his middle-class expectations and the way he locks himself down under stress, and Blackbird’s past freedom now curtailed by family – and now court obligations. Thank you, sir – I will be eagerly waiting for book 4 and plan on buying some as gifts.

Hi Patrick, I didn’t know they were in Beirut Airport, but that’s all to the good. Glad you liked them, and feel free to subscribe to my occasional newsletter which will have release details for book four as they are firmed up, plus other news. Many thanks for your comments.

I picked up Sixty-One Nails in Barnes and Noble strictly because the cover art caught my attention and I’ve never been happier to literally judge a book by its cover. I have since read Road to Bedlam and Strangeness and Charm and I thoroughly enjoyed each one. Thank you for such wonderful pieces of modern fantasy and keep up the good work. I will be anxiously awaiting The Eighth Court.

Thanks for the comment. I’m with you on Clive Owen, but I see Blackbird rather differently. I guess we each have our own internal visualisation that we transpose into the story. Anyway, glad you’re enjoying the story.

…so I thought “Urban Fantasy? whats that?” Looked good: bought all 3. 80miles later I was home and immersed.

Had to steal time to do it…but polished off Sixty One Nails in pretty much a single sitting.
Seriously…not every book one runs into is a true page turner. Also another strange thing, I developed a crush on Blackbird! That is unhead of in my experience of fictional characters; But what a gal!

Tried so hard to make Road to Bedlam last a bit longer. No dice… and I am usually a much better behaved reader.

Strangness and Charm is sitting over there on the table taunting me….”Come on, just ONE chapter”.

Thank you Mr.Shevdon. I do recognize the time and effort that must go into creating. However, whether by design or happenstance, you tell stories that almost beg to be read immediately with only breaks for coffee, speed meals and eyedrops.

I’m stationed in AFG, received the series of books in a box meant for the library at our FOB, currently reading through the third one and I find it really hard to put down. Awesome story thus far and I can’t wait to read the fourth once it comes out.